Lisbon voted the most colourful city in the world

Lisbon is considered the most colourful city in the world, according to a new study carried out by Irish travel insurance specialists JustCover. The analysis was based on images of 78 destinations known for their vibrant colours, with Porto taking third place in the ranking.

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At a time when travel is increasingly documented on social media, aesthetics and visual impact have become factors to consider when choosing a holiday destination, at least for those who enjoy taking photos and creating content. According to the JustCover study (source in Portuguese), more than 2.6 million colours were identified in visual records of Lisbon.

The Portuguese capital is known for its pastel-toned buildings and the patterned tiles that cover historic neighbourhoods such as Alfama, as well as for the yellow trams that run along its narrow streets.

Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, takes second place, with a striking contrast of colours between modern skyscrapers and traditional buildings, including ornate temples and shrines. The rainbow-coloured steps at the Batu Caves are often associated with the destination and, although they are not located in the city itself, they are only a short drive away.

The city of Porto ranks third, reinforcing Portugal’s presence in the table. As in Lisbon, the terracotta rooftops and the iconic colourful houses along the river Douro help to secure its recognition. The cobbled streets and historic wine cellars also give visitors an authentic glimpse of Portuguese life and of the city’s colours.

In fourth place is the port city of Cartagena, in Colombia, renowned for its vivid colours. One of its landmarks is the yellow Clock Tower at the main entrance to the Old Town. Along the streets, buildings in rainbow shades and balconies bursting with flowers add even more splashes of colour to the city.

Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, comes fifth among the most colourful cities, with more than 2.3 million unique colours identified in images of its landscapes and buildings. The Selarón Steps, covered in yellow, blue and green tiles, are one of the city’s most emblematic sights, attracting millions of tourists every year.

Among the 15 most colourful cities, Guanajuato, Havana, New Orleans, Antigua and New York also stand out in the Americas. This is due to these places’ vibrant architecture and their bustling streets lined with signs and neon lighting. Europe is also well represented in the ranking, with Dubrovnik and Barcelona, alongside Lisbon and Porto, taking prominent positions.

For this analysis, representative daytime photographs of each location were selected, without strong filters. A tool was then used to identify the number of colours present in the images, revealing the most colourful destinations.